Jennings vs. Tupou

PHILADELPHIA – Photos: Chris Toney — Bryant Jennings, 16-0, 7 KOs, retained his USBA heavyweight championship with a sudden 5th round TKO of Bowie Tupou at 1:37 of round five. Jennings won the fight before his hometown, North Philadelphia crowd. Tupou landed some heavy blows of his own but fell victim to a vicious right uppercut delivered by Jennings. Tupou crashed to the canvas but managed to climb to his feet. However referee Blair Talmadge stopped the contest as Tupou, 22-3, 16 KOs, got up.

The fight was the nationally televised main event of NBC Sports Network’s Fight Night boxing series. The entire broadcast will be replayed on Wednesday, December 12 from 7 pm – 9pm ET.

“He was strong,” Jennings said of his opponent. “But when I landed that punch, I really felt like I had him. I thought he might not get up.”

In the 10-round semi-final bout, Philadelphia’s Eric Hunter, 17-2, 9 KOs, dished Jerry Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX, his first professional defeat, with a unanimous points verdict. Belmontes fell to 17-1 with 5 KOs. Hunter dropped Belmontes with a counter left hook in round two and generally controlled the entertaining bout. The official scored were 99-91, 99-90 and 97-92. Continue reading →

MIAMI (December 5, 2012) – Despite being 38 and coming off the loss of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title belt by decision to Devon Alexander (24-1, 13 KOs), three-time, two division world champion Randall “KO King” Bailey (43-8, 37 KOs) isn’t ready just yet to hang-up his gloves for good. To the contrary, the Floridian is looking for, as he calls it, a few real fights against the likes of fellow sluggers Marcos Rene Maidana or Keith Thurman. Continue reading →

The half hour special chronicles 36-hours in the life of the North Philadelphia boxer, as he prepares to face Bowie Tupou (22-2, 16 KO’s) in a voluntary defense of his USBA Heavyweight Title. The show tracks Jennings from the apartment he shares with his grandmother, to his sunrise training session, to his day job at the Federal Reserve Bank.

During the episode, NBC Sports Network cameras travel with Jennings for a grueling workout at the no-frills ABC Gym. In addition, the crew follows Jennings as he spends time with his son Mason, and takes an emotional trip to the bullet-strewn Philadelphia neighborhood from which Jennings emerged.

Fight Night 36: Bryant Jennings includes commentary from veteran trainer Fred Jenkins, and Philadelphia legend Marvin “Machine Gun” Garris. The show also captures Jennings, as he reflects on his upcoming opponent and the unique journey that got Jennings this point in his career. Continue reading →

PHILADLEPHIA – A press conference was held to officially announce the next installment of the NBC Sports Network “Fight Night” boxing series. On December 8, 2012, a Philly-centric fight card will take place at Temple University’s Pearson / McGonigle Hall on Broad Street in North Philly. The NBCSN broadcast will begin at 9PM ET.

North Philly native and #5 heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings, 15-0, 7 KOs, takes on Bowie Tupou, 22-2, 16 KOs, of Tonga, in the 12-round main event with Jennings’ USBA heavyweight title on the line. The 10-round junior lightweight co-feature bout is an intriguing face off between North Philadelphian Teon Kennedy, 17-2-2, 7 KOs, who’s coming off a world title challenge, and the undefeated Texan Jerry Belmontes, 17-0, 5 KOs. Kennedy is moving up in weight for the fight.

From the lobby of the fight venue, Hall of Fame promoter J Russell Peltz, a Temple University Grad, conducted the press conference, and along with Jennings and Kennedy spoke about the upcoming blockbuster event promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing, Goossen Tutor and BAM Boxing.’ Continue reading →

Philadelphia’s Bryant “By By” Jennings (15-0, 7 KO’s) will defend his USBA heavyweight title on NBC Sports Network’s Fight Night broadcast, when he meets Bowie Tupou of Nukualofa, Tonga (22-2, 16 KO’s) on December 8. The 12 round fight will take place at Temple University McGonigle Hall in Philadelphia. The NBCSN broadcast will begin at 9PM ET.

Kathy Duva, Main Events CEO said, “This is a great stylistic match up. Tupou is a big puncher who prefers to brawl. Jennings is a boxer but loves to mix it up. It’s the kind of fight that will likely end up in a slugging match where the best chin wins.” Continue reading →